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BWDSB's student enrolment higher than expected

Enrolment at schools in the Bluewater District School Board is up slightly over estimates, with 276 more elementary school students and 54 more high school students than expected.

“It’s very positive, very encouraging,” said superintendent of business services Rob Cummings. Junior kindergarten numbers are also up by 73 students.

Cummings said he’s seen an increase in enrolment by families moving to the area from the Greater Toronto Area, Guelph and Kitchener.

The recent figures are result of a count taken Sept. 14. The board will have a more accurate picture when it provides enrolment figures at the end of this month for the ministry of education.

Rural Funding

The board’s share of recently announced funding by the Ministry of Education to strengthen rural and northern education is $1,116,127.

The $20 million Rural and Northern Education funding, which was announced by the government in June, is dedicated to help schools further improve education for students from rural communities.

Funding is allocated on the number of rural students and two factors measuring the density of rural enrolment in the board.

All but five of the board’s 43 schools qualified for the additional funding. Those that did not qualify are in Owen Sound and area and include Alexandra Community Elementary School, Hillcrest Elementary School, Owen Sound District Secondary School, East Ridge Community School and Keppel Sarawak Community School.

The projected average daily enrolment for the 38 schools is 12,748. The five Owen Sound area schools represent enrolment of 3,160 students.

Cummings said $500,000 of the grant will go toward maintaining schools that operate at a deficit in the future. There are currently 18 schools that operate a deficit.

Another $500,000 will be earmarked for computer replacement, upgrading of wireless access points and camera/audio systems for distance video conference learning.

“The $500,000 allocation will not address all of the identified technology needs; however it will help alleviate the impact of reduced technology funding in 2017-18,” Cummings told members of the business committee on Oct. 3.

Staff also recommended $100,000 be set aside for one-time expenditures such as transportation for school events or school uniforms.

Trustee Jim Dawson is concerned that this funding will not continue beyond this year.

He said that it sounds to him like it’s a one-time grant which makes it crucial that the board doesn’t chose projects that will require funding in future years.

“If we began a program for special needs students using some of that money, and the money dries up and we have to pull the program, it leaves those students high and dry,” he said.